The Challenges Faced By Cancer Survivors

Feeling On Your Own After Cancer

Some cancer survivors describe feeling a sense of abandonment, and feel "left hung out to dry"

Although there is a lot of cancer information out there, it is sometimes difficult for cancer patients after treatment to feel supported with the tailored information and care that they need. The way some cancer survivors have described it to us is that they feel a sense of abandonment, or feel "left hung out to dry". But with regular care from a cancer rehabilitation professional, these feelings can gradually be overcome and survivors can get back to their regular routines.

Dis-Ease Means Unease With a Disruption to Self

Some cancer patients indicate feeling a lack of ease with themselves and their physical fragility that no-one is addressing or helping them get through. This unease really speaks to a need for integrated cancer rehabilitation services to help patients:

• recover their identity
• learn how to manage and adapt to any permanent impairments
• have a regular exercise schedule that has been tailored for them and will help to overcome the sense of constant fatigue
• receive specialized physiotherapy to address movement restrictions, swelling and cancer related pain
• when necessary, have counseling to overcome the sense of being deflated, dejected and even jaded after surgery

Acquiring a New Meaning for Physical Activity

When exercise means lowering the chances of cancer ever coming back, it takes on a new meaning. As one patient puts it, "keeping her blood oxygenated" through everyday exercise is the best way to keep the cancer away. For her, exercise has become a tool for a second chance and the gateway for her to get back to living her life. Building up muscle mass that has deteriorated is another often challenging aspect of post-cancer physical activity, but the benefits of exercise for cancer management are numerous and encouraging!

Cancer Rehabilitation is Available In Canada at 62 Different Locations

We offer a means for cancer patients to overcome many of the challenges and impairments that have resulted from cancer and its treatment. These side effects are most effectively overcome with an individualized treatment plan designed by a Cancer Rehabilitation professional.

Please contact one of our Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Ontario

Nova Scotia

Other Helpful Links for Cancer Rehabilitation

Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada

Canadian Cancer Society

Livestrong Foundation

ELLICSR Kitchen - UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Increased Physical Activity Improves Cancer Survival Rates

Are You a Cancer Survivor With N.E.D.?

Cancer survivors can improve their chances of remaining NED through regular exercise

We live in a world of acronyms that are only meaningful to people "in the know". I have worked my whole life with PTs, OTs and RMTs who do things like measure ROM, use the IFC and put people through FCEs. What may seem strange to those outside my physiotherapy world is all very clear to me.

The Importance of the Acronym N.E.D.

One acronym that really sticks in my mind these days though, is N.E.D.! This has a special meaning to me, along with thousands of other cancer survivors. It means No Evidence of Disease. These are the best three letters you can hope to see written at the bottom of your doctor's chart. Nothing makes me happier than hearing that the follow-up test results have shown N.E.D.!

Increased Physical Activity Improves Survival Rates

But the question remains how cancer survivors can improve their chances of remaining N.E.D. One of the best ways is engaging in regular exercise.

A systemic review completed in 2010 by Barbaric et al, looked at the Effects of Physical Activity on Cancer Survival. They concluded after reviewing hundreds of scientific research articles that there is growing evidence demonstrating that increased physical activity improves survival rates in patients with breast or colorectal cancers. The recommended amount required to make a difference is a mere 3 hours of moderately paced walking per week. More recently, there is evidence supporting exercise with other types of cancers including lung and prostate. Surely regular daily exercise is possible for most cancer survivors and should be strongly encouraged by the medical community.

I believe it is time to challenge the meaning of N.E.D.! From now on... let us all remember that it really should mean NEED EXERCISE DAILY!

How to Get Cancer Rehabilitation

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

Ontario
British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Nova Scotia

LifeMark-Centric Health Rallies Behind Clinic Co-Founder Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

"HatterStrong" is Fundraising for Respected Community Leader, Teacher and Coach

Mark Hatt,  is one of the co-founders of LifeMark Physiotherapy/Centric Health (formerly Physiotherapy Associates of Cambridge) located at two Cambridge locations: the YMCA and on Hespeler Road beside Grandview Medical Centre.  Mark has been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer (he never smoked in his life).  He has been fighting harder than anything else that he has done to date. Mark is an extremely well loved and well respected Physical Education teacher and football coach at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge.

To support Mark, his wife and two young children, Steve Domms, also a teacher at Jacob Hespeler, created the "HatterStrong" t-shirt.  The community is rallying behind him to raise funding for his cancer treatment. These shirts are visible all over Cambridge and are stretching into other communities!

Centric Health Matching Donated Funds Dollar For Dollar

Because Mark is near and dear to our clinic professionally and in our personal lives, we are pleased to announce that Centric Health will match dollar for dollar any funds that we raise through our clinic. We will be selling t-shirts and taking donations in all three of our Cambridge clinics. If you would like to participate, make a donation, or need more information, please come and see us upstairs. We are located on the second floor at the back of the YMCA.


Thank you on behalf of all of us at LifeMark Physiotherapy/Centric Health.

To find out more about Cancer Rehab Canada please see our website.

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

Ontario
British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Nova Scotia

5 Tips to Keep Cancer Patients Active

Motivation to exercise is important when you can't exercise or feel too tired to exercise

Can't Exercise? Too Tired to Exercise?

The evidence supporting exercise for cancer patients is undeniable. However, sometimes we feel we can't exercise or are too tired to exercise. Although we know we need to be physically active, it is often very difficult to stick to it.

How to Stay Motivated to Exercise

As a physiotherapist and cancer survivor myself, I can certainly appreciate both sides. On those days when my "get up and go" has "got up and left", I put on my physiotherapy hat and recall some of the tips I have learned over the years that help me stay motivated and physically active. Here are a few things to consider:

• Exercise with a friend. If I have someone waiting to meet me at the gym I am far more likely to go, and my friend usually appreciates me encouraging them to be there too.
• Vary your exercise routine to avoid boredom. I like to try something different each day of the week, but also change it up with the seasons.
• Exercise outdoors whenever you can. It just feels healthier to me to be breathing fresh air and enjoying the scenery, regardless of whether it is 20 below or 20 above.
• Record your exercise achievements, so that you can track your progress. There are some cool apps for tracking walking and running progress now, that make this easy and fun.
• Identify barriers to exercise and work to overcome them. One example of this is using urban walking poles to give you confidence to walk further or on uneven terrain when your balance might be slightly impaired.

How Physiotherapists Can Help

Physiotherapists are trained to help individuals with a variety of disabilities overcome their barriers to being physically active. Physiotherapists have heard every excuse in the book as to why someone cannot exercise. In most cases, modifications can be made to create a safe and effective exercise program for just about anyone. It may definitely be worthwhile to consult a physiotherapist during or after your cancer treatment to develop a physical activity plan with achievable goals.

To find out more about Cancer Rehab Canada please see our website.

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Ontario

Nova Scotia

Team LifeMark Centric Rides 217 Km Over Two Days for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Team LifeMark Centric cyclists Corinne Roos and Judy Boivin at the 2014 Ride to Conquer Cancer event

Team LifeMark Centric Raises over $10K for Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

On June 7-8 a small but mighty Team LifeMark Centric rode 217 kilometres in two days at the 2014 Enbridge® Ride to Conquer Cancer® in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. 

Team LifeMark Centric raised $10,667 for the Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer.The LifeMark Centric team applauds the efforts of Cancer Centres such as Princess Margaret that continue to make a difference every day in the lives of cancer patients. Thanks to their dedication, more people are surviving cancer than ever before!  

2014 Enbridge® Ride to Conquer Cancer® Raises $20 Million

The epic cycling journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls involved 217 km of riding over two days and raised $20 million in total. The fundraiser took place in support of breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.

Paul Boivin, Judy Boivin and Corinne Roos take part in the ride in support of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Special thanks go out to Corinne Roos for being such an awesome cyclist and making the team look good by finishing near the top each day in about 3.5 hours. Special thanks also to Paul Boivin for being our top fundraiser, and to Ashley Waerea who organized the LifeMark volunteers and spent the entire weekend helping out at rest stops.

Cancer Rehab Canada Program Sets a Goal of Improving Rehab Services for Cancer Survivors

Judy Boivin, founding member of Cancer Rehab Canada, at the end of the two-day cycling journey

Over the past year LifeMark Centric has taken up its own fight in the care of cancer patients, with a goal of improving the rehabilitation services provided to cancer survivors. Through our Cancer Rehab Canada program we are assisting individuals in their recovery from the side effects of cancer treatment at 45 locations across the country.

The LifeMark Centric cycling team rode to raise funds and awareness for cancer patients who continue to struggle to regain their lives and live up to their full potential. One day we hope to see a cure for cancer and ensure that the 1 million+ cancer survivors in Canada are active and empowered to be all that they can be.

To find out more about Cancer Rehab Canada please see our website.

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Ontario

Nova Scotia

Integrating Exercise on the Cancer Care Pathway

Growing Evidence Supports the Role of Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment

Research indicates that with tailored programs, exercise is likely to have a positive effect on cancer patients

In a Macmillan Cancer Support Review of the evidence for integrating the promotion of physical activity within the cancer care pathway, a team of medical researchers* found that if exercise prescriptions are individually tailored to each individual and the potential for side effects taken into account, exercise is likely to have a positive effect on cancer patients.

The review reports that exercise during treatment prevents a decline in functional outcomes without increasing fatigue. One study within the review highlighted the fact that the loss of physical function experienced by cancer survivors apply to longer-term survivors, not just patients who have just completed treatment:

“Limitations in physical functioning were reported by a significantly higher proportion of both short-term (54%) and long-term (53%) cancer survivors… The commonest problems experienced (crouching, kneeling, standing for long periods, walking short distances and lifting/carrying a load) are all vital for carrying out basic daily activities…”

 General Exercise Safety Precautions During and After Cancer Treatment

It is important to see a rehab professional with special training in cancer-related physiotherapy techniques for help in deciding what and how much exercise is recommended both during and after treatment. Below are some potentially adverse events associated with physical activity and cancer, with precautions you can take to avoid them:*

To prevent the exacerbation of symptoms (eg pain, fatigue, nausea, dyspnea) - Avoid high-intensity exercise; monitor symptoms; modify exercise type based on site of treatment (eg avoid exercise bike after prostate/rectal surgery).

To prevent immunosuppression – If patient has low white blood cell counts, avoid high intensity/volume of exercise (keep to light – moderate intensity).

To prevent falls – If patient has dizziness, frailty, peripheral sensory neuropathy: incorporate balance and coordination exercises (eg tai chi) and avoid activities needing considerable balance/coordination (eg treadmill).

To prevent bone fracture – If patient has bone metastases/osteoporosis risk avoid high impact or contact activities.

To prevent lymphedema – Progress resistance exercises in small and gradual increments. To avoid exacerbation of lymphedema, avoid strenuous repetitive exercise with affected limb;  wear compression garment.

* Written by Dr. Anna Campbell, University of Dundee; Jo Foster, Macmillan Cancer Support; Dr. Clare Stevinson, Loughborough University; and Dr. Nick Cavill (Cavill Associates Ltd).


A current Canadian study hopes to inspire health-care professionals to incorporate exercise into standard cancer care programs.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada location near you, please see our list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia locations.

Cancer Rehab LifeMark Supports Hearth Place Cancer Centre Ski Day

Cancer Rehab/LifeMark Clinics Give Massages at Hearth Place Ski Day

Cancer Rehab/LifeMark clinic give massages at Hearth Place Ski Day 

Ask anyone who attended the 19th annual Hearth Place Ski and Spa Day what they remember most about this year's event, and you'd probably get a variety of answers from the spectacular views, to the great après ski, to the massages offered at the bottom of the hill!

"Many of the skiers were pleasantly surprised when they saw our massage chair set up near the slopes", said Devin Dawson, Registered Massage Therapist from LifeMark Physiotherapy Cambridge Clinic, who donated his massage talents to help restore skiers between runs or after they had finished their runs. "We had a chance to get to know some of the participants as well as chat with them about our cancer rehab program, our support of Hearth Place as well as our variety of other physiotherapy and massage therapy programs."

LifeMark Oshawa and Whitby Clinics Join Hearth Place Fundraisers as Breakfast Sponsor

Krista McIntyre, Clinic Director and Physiotherapist at LifeMark Physiotherapy Whitby, attended the Ski and Spa Day and reported that the fundraiser was an overwhelming success. "Our Oshawa and Whitby clinics donated $300 as a Breakfast Sponsor for the event.We also donated a basket of health and wellness items as a 'gift in kind', consisting of an exercise ball, a gift certificate for a 30-minute massage, exercise band, pens and a calendar." Participants also paid $10 for 10 minute massages by our volunteer massage therapist, Devin Dawson, RMT from LifeMark Physiotherapy Cambridge, with all funds for massages being donated directly to Hearth Place. In total, the net fundraising for Hearth Place from this one day event amounted to $8,200.

Check out these photos of this year's Hearth Place Ski and Spa Day!

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.